Poinsettia plant named ‘RINE 19806’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘Rine 19806’, characterized by its upright to slightly outwardly and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely and upright to slightly outwardly branching habit; very thick lateral branches; strong upright “v-shape” branching habit; strongly upright dark green-colored leaves; upright flower bracts that are bright red in color; distinct, large and dense cyathia clusters; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical designation: Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.

Cultivar denomination: ‘RINE 19806’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPoinsettia plant, botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd., andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Rine 19806’.

The new Poinsettia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Encinitas, Calif. The objective of thebreeding program is to create new upright Poinsettia plants with uprightleaves, upright flower bracts and excellent post-production longevity.

The new Poinsettia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in January, 2019 of Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ‘Rineab’,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,593, as the female, or seed, parent,with Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ‘Dueferra’, disclosed in U.S. PlantPat. No. 29,225, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Poinsettiaplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single floweringplant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in acontrolled greenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif. in November,2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Poinsettia plant by terminal vegetativecuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif.since April, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPoinsettia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Poinsettia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature, daylength and light intensity, without, however,any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Rine 19806’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Rine 19806’ as a new and distinct Poinsettiaplant:

-   -   1. Upright to slightly outwardly and uniformly mounded plant        habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely and upright to slightly outwardly branching habit;        very thick lateral branches; strong upright “v-shape” branching        habit.    -   4. Strongly upright dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Upright flower bracts that are bright red in color.    -   6. Distinct, large and dense cyathia clusters.    -   7. Good post-production longevity.

In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Poinsettia differprimarily from plants of the female parent, ‘Rineab’, in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Branching habit of plants of the new Poinsettia is stronger        and more upright than branching habit of plants of ‘Rineab’.    -   2. Lateral branches of plants of the new Poinsettia are darker        green in color than lateral branches of plants of ‘Rineab’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Poinsettia are smaller and darker        green in color than leaves of plants of ‘Rineab’.    -   4. Leaves and flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are        more upright than and not as lobed as leaves and flower bracts        of plants of ‘Rineab’.    -   5. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are brighter        and darker red in color than flower bracts of plants of        ‘Rineab’.

In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Poinsettia differprimarily from plants of the male parent, ‘Dueferra’, in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia develop red        coloration earlier than flower bracts of plants of ‘Dueferra’.    -   2. Leaves and flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are        not as flat as leaves and flower bracts of plants of ‘Dueferra’.    -   3. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are more        upright than flower bracts of plants of ‘Dueferra’.    -   4. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are lighter red        in color than flower bracts of plants of ‘Dueferra’.

Plants of the new Poinsettia can be compared to plants of the Euphorbiapulcherrima Willd. ‘Eckadire’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,846.In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Poinsettia differprimarily from plants of ‘Eckadire’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Branching habit of plants of the new Poinsettia is more        “v-shaped” than branching habit of plants of ‘Eckadire’.    -   2. Lateral branches of plants of the new Poinsettia are thicker        than lateral branches of plants of ‘Eckadire’.    -   3. Leaves and flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are        more upright than leaves and flower bracts of plants of        ‘Eckadire’.    -   4. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are lighter red        in color than flower bracts of plants of ‘Eckadire’.    -   5. Cyathia clusters of plants of the new Poinsettia are larger        and more distinct than cyathia clusters of plants of ‘Eckadire’.

Plants of the new Poinsettia can also be compared to plants of theEuphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ‘PER1055’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.15,882. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Poinsettia differprimarily from plants of ‘PER1055’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Branching habit of plants of the new Poinsettia is more        uniform than branching habit of plants of ‘PER1055’.    -   2. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are not as wavy        as flower bracts of plants of ‘PER1055’.    -   3. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia are less prone        to curve downwardly with development whereas flower bracts of        plants of ‘PER1055’ curve downwardly with development.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Poinsettia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Poinsettia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘Rine 19806’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a top perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘Rine 19806’.

The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 3 ) is a close-up view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Rine 19806’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdetailed description were grown during the autumn and winter in 15.24-cmcontainers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Elfin Forest, Calif.under natural season conditions and cultural practices typical ofcommercial Poinsettia production. During the production of the plants,day temperatures ranged from 24° C. to 26° C., night temperaturesaveraged 18° C. and light levels ranged from 5,000 to 6,000foot-candles. Plants were pinched one time and were five months fromunrooted cuttings when the photographs and the description were taken.In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ‘Rine 19806’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.            ‘Rineab’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,593.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.            ‘Dueferra’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,225.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at            temperatures about 21° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About ten days at            temperatures about 19° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 26 days            at temperatures about 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 28 days            at temperatures about 19° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to slightly outwardly            spreading and uniformly mounded plant habit; broad inverted            triangle; inflorescences with numerous flower bracts            positioned above the foliar plane; moderately vigorous to            vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height.—About 38 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 45 cm.        -   Lateral branch description.—Branching habit: Freely            branching habit, about eight lateral branches develop after            pinching; upright to slightly outwardly branching habit;            strong upright “v-shaped” branching habit. Length: About            31 cm. Diameter: Thick, about 8.5 mm. Internode length:            About 1.5 cm to 1.75 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: About 20°            to 30° from vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            glossy. Color: Close to 146A and 146B.        -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length:            About 12.5 cm. Width: About 8.5 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate,            not lobed. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Obtuse with truncate or            cordate tendencies. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Mostly upright            and becoming closer to horizontal with subsequent            development. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; velvety; slightly glossy. Texture and luster,            lower surface: Glabrous; prominent venation; somewhat            velvety; matte. Venation pattern: Pinnate, arcuate. Color:            Developing and fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker            green than between 147A and N189A; midvein, close to 59A and            lateral venation, close to 147A. Developing and fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B; midvein,            close to 59A and lateral venation, close to 146A to 146B.            Leaf petioles: Length: About 4.3 cm. Diameter: Thick, about            4 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to            59A and 59B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Terminal inflorescences are            compound corymbs of cyathia with numerous colored flower            bracts subtending the cyathia; inflorescences uniformly            positioned above the foliar plane.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flowering response.—Under natural season conditions, plants            typically flower about 56 days after planting rooted            cuttings in Southern California.        -   Post-production longevity.—Good post-production longevity;            plants of the new Poinsettia maintain good substance and            flower bract color for about six weeks under interior            conditions; flower bracts persistent and cyathia not            persistent.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 27 cm to 30 cm.        -   Inflorescence height (depth).—About 7.25 cm.        -   Flower bracts.—Quantity per inflorescence: Numerous, about            30 to 40. Length, largest bracts: About 11.5 cm to 12.5 cm.            Width, largest bracts: About 7.75 cm to 8.25 cm. Shape:            Broadly ovate, not lobed. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Obtuse with            truncate tendencies. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Upright            presentation. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface:            Glabrous with prominent venation; somewhat velvety; matte.            Venation pattern: Pinnate, arcuate. Color: Transitional            bracts, upper surface: Close to 146A and 147A variably            tinged with close to N45A. Transitional bracts, lower            surface: Close to 146A and 146B slightly and variably tinged            with close to N45B. Developing and fully developed bracts,            upper surface: Close to N45A; venation, close to N45A; color            does not change with subsequent development. Developing and            fully developed bracts, lower surface: Close to N45B;            venation, close to N45B; color does not change with            subsequent development. Bract petioles: Length: About            3.25 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm by 3.25 mm. Texture and            luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 59A to 59B.        -   Cyathia.—Quantity per corymb: About 17 to 20; relatively            large and showy. Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About 6 mm.            Shape: Oblong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Color, inner surface: Close to 146B to            146C. Color, outer surface: Close to 144A to 144B; towards            the apex, close to 53A.        -   Nectaries.—Quantity per cyathium: Two. Length: About 8 mm.            Width: About 4 mm. Shape: Flattened tubular. Texture and            luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, inner and            outer surfaces: Close to 13A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 5 mm to 6 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Strength: Strong, thick. Aspect: Mostly upright to slightly            outwardly. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glossy. Color: Close to 144A to 144B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per cyathium: About            16 to 20. Filament length: About 6 mm to 7 mm. Filament            color: Close to 154D. Anther shape: Round to oval; bi-lobed.            Anther length: About 1.25 mm. Anther color: Close to 13A.            Amount of pollen: Scarce to moderate. Pollen color: Close to            13A. Pistils: Quantity per cyathium: One; tri-parted. Pistil            length: About 9 mm. Stigma shape: Three-parted, recurved.            Stigma color: Close to 144A. Style length: About 7.5 mm.            Style color: Close to 154D. Ovary color: Close to 144D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production have            not been observed on plants of the new Poinsettia.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Poinsettia    have been observed to be relatively resistant to Botrytis. Plants    have not been shown to be resistant to pests and other pathogens    common to Poinsettia plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Poinsettia have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° C. to about    32° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Poinsettia plant named ‘Rine 19806’as illustrated and described.